Earned the honor

Barack Obama has said that he doesn't look like "those pictures" on the dollar bill and the five-dollar bill. That cavalier description refers to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, by any measure two of America's greatest presidents. These men earned their places in history, as well as on America's currency, by displaying character, courage and leadership during times of grave national crisis. By contrast, in pursuing the presidency, the untested junior senator from Illinois has displayed little more than vanity, smarm and a practiced flair for showmanship. On second thought, perhaps Obama has it right after all: He's not a bit like "those pictures."